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The government shutdown impasse is now in its fourth week, with no end in sight.
The bad thing about it is that it is partisan political theater. Both President Donald Trump and the so called “Democratic” Party can’t come to an agreement because they can’t see eye-to-eye on how they want the presidential election in 2020 to turn out.

Without passing a single bill, the 2019 session of the Virginia General Assembly made history. This is the General Assembly’s 400th anniversary.
A lot has changed since that first meeting of 22 elected burgesses (the 17th Century equivalent of delegates) in Jamestown. But, I can think of two important details that are exactly the same as they were 400 years ago. Those participating are chosen by the people and every day of session begins with prayer.

The gavel banged down at noon last Wednesday signaling the start of the 2019 General Assembly session and the 400th anniversary of the Virginia legislature. What started 400 years ago with 22 elected Burgesses meeting in Jamestown continues today with 40 elected Senators and 100 elected Delegates at the capitol designed by Thomas Jefferson in Richmond.

Gazing out an open sliding-glass door to my left, I can see only clear blue sky and greenish-gray river water. The Suwanee River is well out of its banks, the flood waters lapping gently at the base of our house. I don’t fear the flood invading the house, built on sturdy concrete stilts to offset that risk. I’m ensconced in a comfortable chair, and the gentle breeze floating in the open door carries a sweet intoxicating fragrance that sets my mind to drifting. The new year has arrived.

The Virginia General Assembly convened its 2019 session this week. There’s been some anticipation of this year’s session, as the General Assembly marks its 400 th anniversary. Four centuries later, Virginia’s legislature describes itself as “the oldest continuous law-making body in the New World.”
For its first 80 years, the General Assembly met in Jamestown. The 22 elected

As Day 20 of the government shut-down nears even those indifferent to a wall between us and Mexico are asking questions. Why a wall when historically walls have never worked. The latest, the Berlin Wall erected during the Cold War by East Germany is no more. There are others, of course.

The 2019 General Assembly officially commenced on Wednesday, January 9th at noon. Kirk Cox remains the Republican Speaker of the House, and I could not be more pleased to have him lead us as we continue to advance Virginia forward during the 400th anniversary of this legislative body. Republicans continue to maintain a slim majority of 51-49 as we debate a number of important issues including state tax conformity, gambling, and Interstate 81.